Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has hailed the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award three points and three goals to Nigeria, following the treatment of the team in Libya.
The Libyans were also fined $50,000 in the decision announced on Saturday, although Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali appeared to think it was not enough punishment.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya on October 15 in Benghazi, but the Nigerian contingent had their plane diverted mid-air to the abandoned, ill-equipped Al-Abraq airport and were held there for 18 hours without food, water or access to the internet.
After the inhumane treatment, the Nigerian team decided to pull out of the match as the Nigeria Football Federation filed an official complaint to CAF.
The continental governing body’s disciplinary board ruled in favour of Nigeria, dismissing Libya’s case and making the North Africans forfeit the match.
Troost-Ekong celebrated the verdict, posting on X: “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000. Plane was diverted 300km from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel. One step closer to our target AFCON 2025.”
Nwabali was, however, not so pleased with the ruling. The Chippa United goalkeeper quoted the CAF post on X announcing the ruling and wrote “$50k for Eba?” apparently meaning the fine was not big enough.
The Super Eagles now have 10 points from four matches in their qualifying group, with Benin Republic second four points behind, and with two rounds of fixtures to go.
